Powered by the Amazing 5, Captain Citrus Comes to NYCC

For instance, if we take a moment to travel south, down the East Coast, we might very well encounter Florida’s own Captain Citrus, powered by the Sunshine State’s warm rays and the nutrition of Florida’s signature crop.

The recently revealed character lives life as John Polk, a Florida resident and orange grower who turns into a citrus-fueled champion through the power of mysterious solar pods. Wielding the power of flight, potent bolts of Florida sunshine, and hardlight weapons, Captain Citrus can stand shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Captain America, Black Widow, and the rest of the Avengers.

Behind all of that stands an innovative partnership between Marvel Custom Solutions and the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC), designed to deliver fun and education to school-aged fans and their families across the country. The partnership places Captain Citrus and the Avengers in exciting, original print and digital comics, fighting crime and educating readers on the value of good nutrition and making smart choices.

The effort starts with the first comic, boasting a script by Ralph Macchio, with art by Kev Sharpe. Then Marvel Custom and FDOC take that effort the extra mile—the extra 1086 miles, in fact—by bringing Captain Citrus to the 2014 New York Comic-Con. There, on the event’s last day, fans can receive print versions of the comics as well as other exclusive items. Additionally, FDOC and Marvel will be putting one million free comics in classrooms across the country, along with teacher’s guides to help the schools maximize the comic’s educational and entertainment value.

Fans and teachers who simply cannot wait to witness Captain Citrus’s adventures or tap into his education potential need not worry. Digital versions of his first adventure, in which he helps the Avengers against the Leader and his dangerous Humanoid robots, and the teacher’s guide can be found at captaincitrus.com.

Stay tuned to Marvel.com for the latest on Captain Citrus, New York Comic-Con 2014, and more!